Be a Barnabas

I have been known from time to time to push it with the gas gauge.  Many of you have probably done the same thing before.  The gas light goes on and you figure you’ve got at least 30 more miles.  Sometimes I will go a couple of days with the gas light on and one time it cost me.  I ended up stranded within sight of the gas station on a rare but cold and blistery day in California.  Even though I could see the gas station it was a mile away.  I was out of gas, cold and miserable. 

            Cars need gas to run and so do we.  Our life can feel like mine did that day as my car ran out of gas.  We need to get fueled up!  There are people in my life that energize me and one of them is my nephew, Kenny.  Kenny loves the Lord and is positive that I always feel energized being around him.  He is a cancer survivor, having been diagnosed with Ewing Sacrcoma at the ripe old age of 14.  Even in the bleakness of that day, Kenny energized me.  I called him and he came and rescued me from the coldness of that day and it soon became a great story.  We all need Kenny’s in our life.  People who encourage us and make the challenges look exciting and fun rather than massive and unattainable.  When doctors told Kenny he wouldn’t walk again, he remained positive and he walks.  When doctors told Kenny he’d need a cane Kenny remained positive and needs no cane today.  He’s 23 now, he loves God more than ever and he is a light for Him in way he cannot even fathom.

            In Acts there was a Kenny too.  His name was Barnabas, which means “Son of Encouragement”, and he certainly lived up to his name.  Barnabas was a pivotal character in the New Testament but could go unnoticed because he doesn’t get a lot of ink.  Barnabas is the first giver we see in Acts.  He sees a need and he responds without so much as a word.  But what I love most about Barnabas is that he stands in the gap for Paul.  All of the Christians were afraid of Paul and with good reason, he had spent every waking breath trying to stop them until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.  Barnabas sees the way God has gifted Paul and he stands with him when others are too afraid…

Acts 9:26-27 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. ²⁷ But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

            Barnabas is an encourager.  He sees the possibilities in others when we see the flaws.  He is the brother in Paul’s life who gives him the opportunity to serve and disciples him.  When it comes time for the Gospel to go the Gentiles and Barnabas is to pick his team, Paul is his choice.  Paul becomes the voice to the gentiles but it is because he has a Barnabas who believes in him and encourages him.

            People, just like cars, need fuel.  We need to have people that energize us help us to keep going despite the obstacles.  Where do you go to get fueled up?  Do you fuel people up or do you siphon from them?  As we continue this week in our series “No One Stands Alone”, perhaps we need to ask ourselves, “How can I be a Barnabas?”  How can I encourage someone?  How can I help them see light in the darkness?  My hope and prayer for you this week, as we look at Barnabas “Son of Encouragement”, is that you are encouraged.

Have a Great Week!

Pastor Stan and Polly

Creation Cries Out for It's Creator Too

Life can be hard, there is no doubt about that.  There are days when we have to ask ourselves, “When will you return God?  When will the suffering end?”  As I looked at the devastation caused by the tornadoes in Tuscaloosa and Joplin I am reminded that it is not only us that cry out for our Savior.  Even creation cries out for  redemption…

Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Over the past several years there has been a lot of speculation as to the cause of global warming and what to do about it.  There has been conversation about the effects and perhaps we are seeing some of that.  

            The other day I was having a conversation with Mom, who lives in California.  Seeing the effects of a tornado, Mom said, “I’ll take an earthquake any day!”  No matter where we live creation cries out.  Some have tornadoes, some have earthquakes, others have volcanoes or tsunamis.  No matter where we go creation is crying out just as we are.  

            So what does it mean for us?  How do we respond?  God calls us, as the Church, to be an extension of his love and grace.  Too often we get stuck trying to explain the unexplainable.  I cannot explain to you why natural disasters occur other than what I just explained earlier, creation is crying out for a Savior.  It is the fallenness of creation.  But I do know how God calls us to respond….

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Ephesians 6:1-2 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children ² and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

We can respond, first of all, in empathy and pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering through loss during these times.   Perhaps God has asked you to give or even go and help during these times.  We should always be listening for what God is asking us to do. 

            Harold Camping may have got the date wrong of the Lord’s return but it is still eminent.  Until he returns we will see all of creation crying out, that includes the destructive forces of nature.  I don’t know if I prefer an earthquake to a tornado, frankly they both seem terrifying.  Seeing these natural forces makes me realize how powerful God is and how powerless I am.   So where is the hope in all of this?  The hope is in what is yet to be seen.  Creation cries out, we cry out and God answered.  He answered by sending Jesus and redeeming us, and one day all of this will be redeemed as well and we will see the new heaven and the new earth.  That is where our hope lies, in Jesus Christ.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan and Polly

A Piece of Polly's Story

A little over ten years ago Polly has two bad car accidents within three months of each other.   The first she was hot almost directly head on by a car trying to pass on a two lane road.  Her car flipped over and she ended up in a ditch but crawled to safety and escaped relatively unscathed.  Three months later, still shaken by the first accident she was rear-ended by a Suburban and pushed into the opposite lane of a two-lane road where she was struck by a Cement truck.  She walked away from that relatively unscathed as well.  I told Polly, after these two accidents, that she is a super-hero.  To walk away from both of those accidents was nothing short of miraculous and we are forever grateful to God for that.

The lasting memory of those accidents was some back, neck and hip problems.  Most of the time she was oaky but every so often it would flare up.  That happened like never before a couple of weeks ago and no amount of Chiropractic adjustment helped.  This eventually led her to the ER and it was discovered she had an acute herniated disc in her neck.  

We all have pain that we live with.  Whether it is the direct physical pain or the pain of loss or brokenness that is the result of living in a fallen world.  This is why we need a Savior.  The Apostle Paul spoke of his own pain in this way…

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

            My wife has dealt with pain unbelievably well.  I can tell when she is in pain but she rarely lets on about it.  She keeps going.  She has incredible faith and believes, as Paul did, that God’s grace is sufficient for her in all ways.

            Having said that tomorrow Polly goes in for surgery to repair a herniated disc in  her neck.  She is hopeful of the prospect of relief from pain.  She is at peace knowing that God is always with her and she is incredibly strong.  My wife is my hero! 

            We believe healing will come and we appreciate the prayers of all of you.  We believe in prayer.  Prayer is powerful and effective! 

James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

When we are weak….when we are in need….when we are hurting, God is there.  He never leaves….He never forsakes.  He is awesome!  Thank you for standing in the gap and interceding and praying for Polly, we look forward to seeing you soon.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan and Polly

The Pain of Transformation

Why is it that transformation seems so painful?  In that great and spiritual movie “X-Men”, anytime Wolverine transforms into his combative self it looks so painful.  How about when a mother gives birth and new life comes into this world.  It is painful, at least that’s what I hear and it sure looked that way when I saw my daughters being born.  How about those nagging physical problems that need a physical transformation called surgery to rectify?  It is painful in the short term but long term we are thankful for the transformation.

            In the book of Romans Paul talks about the transformation that happens as we choose to walk with Christ.  This too can be a painful transformation as Christ surgically removes spiritual ailments in our life and directs us back to a path that produces life.  Listen to what Paul says….

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. ² Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

            Transformation comes as we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God.  That sounds painful, doesn’t it?  Anytime we hear that word “sacrifice”, we know it may not be easy.  So Paul says in light of God’s great mercy shown to us, we offer our lives back to Him.  I no longer live for me but for God.  This is how I worship God.  That can be painful because up until the moment I realize this truth I have always lived for me.  Everything I did was with me in mind.  Once I decide to follow Christ all of that changes.  Now I sacrifice my own life and live for God.  All of the things that are so important and give me significance, according to the standards of this world, take a back seat now.  What matters now?  Everything that is important to God is now important to me. 

            Transformation is painful at times but it is worth it.  We can spend so much time wondering what God’s will is but we can never know until we surrender our will to His.  Transformation happens as we refuse to follow the patterns of the world and instead follow God’s standards.  When the world tells us to pursue riches, God says. “Be generous”.  When the world tells us to pursue pleasure God says, “Pursue righteousness”.  When the world says that it can offer peace God reminds us that the only lasting and eternal peace comes form Him. 

            We are constantly transforming but the question we need to ask is “What are we transforming into?”  We transform from kids into adults and from young to old.  As people relate with us we are transformed, sometimes for the better and sometimes not. 

What is the nicest act someone has ever done for you?  How did it change you?  Has anyone ever sacrificed it all for you?  That is what Christ did.  He died so that you could live.  Through this act of mercy we are changed.  Is this a painful process?  Sometimes it is.  But never as painful as what He endured for us.  In light of this I offer myself to Him.  We say to God, “Your sacrifice meant something.  I am grateful.”  Have you ever allowed yourself to really ponder this?  Christ gave himself up for you.  The more we understand this, the more it will change us. Our heart will beat with His.  We will be transformed more and more into the image of Jesus Christ.  We will become more and more like Him until the day we see Him face to face.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan and Polly

Theology of Parties

Is it just me or was this week was a week filled with festivities?  Graduation is here and it seems like there is a different party every day.  And why not, graduation from High School is a significant and defining transition from being a kids to growing up and moving on towards independence. 

That’s not the only significant event that is going on this week though.  There was also Cinco de Mayo this week as well as Star Wars Day (May 4^th).  Then it is all highlighted on Sunday by Mother’s Day.  We love to celebrate don’t we?  Any excuse to get together we want to do it.  This is something that God put within us too.  We designed us for community, which is why we enjoy getting together.  In fact, if we look at Jesus life he spent a lot of time at parties and in people’s homes.  His first miracle was at a wedding turning water into wine.  And who called him out?  It was Mom. 

John 2:3-5 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” ⁴ “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

Don’t you love this?  Mom gets Jesus to begin his public ministry by calling out in a crisis.  What is the crisis?  We’re out of wine for our guests!  This is a big deal!  To run out of wine at a wedding would have disgraced the host of the party.  This, apparently, was enough to bring Jesus into the public eye by doing something extraordinary.  The guests not only enjoyed the wine but they marveled that it was the best.  What a way to honor the host!

            Jesus spent a lot of time going to these gatherings or parties.  He did a lot of extraordinary things at these parties.  He honored people with his presence and always gave them even more than what was expected.  This is what we will call Jesus “Theology of Parties”.

            This “Theology of Parties” is Jesus way of teaching us how God loves us. First of all, the fact that Jesus spent so much time at parties shows us how he loved being with people and valued relationship.  He never turned down an invitation, whether it was from a tax collector or a Pharisee, Jesus always honored his guest by showing up.  

By showing up to all of these parties Jesus also demonstrated being a friend to those who need friends.  Even though the Jews knew how to party there was no hospitality shown among the religious leaders and the rest of the people.  There were those who expected places of honor and considered themselves more esteemed and worthy than others.  So Jesus, by befriending these who have been left behind, is demonstrating a value to lives that been devalued. 

Jesus brought such life to a party!  And it was literal life, not just manufactured.  Whether he was healing, raising people from the dead, teaching, reconciling brokenness or turning water into wine Jesus showed us to never underestimate the generosity of God.  

Yes it has been a week of festivities and it is not over yet.  Today is a day where we celebrate Mom and Grads.  How about taking Jesus “Theology of Parties” with you.  Honor others above yourself, be a friend to those who need a friend and show a generosity that exceeds expectation.  May we celebrate life, accomplishment and people the way that Jesus did.

Have a great week! 

Pastor Stan and Polly

Has Your Faith Cost You?

Last year, as is the case every year, the New York Times put out an article that informed us that raising a child for the average middle-income family in the United States costs $222,360 from birth to eighteen.  I don’t know about you but when I see this it can be a little disheartening, especially if you have four kids.  This figure is before they go off to college too.  Then they make the statement at the bottom of the article “Is it worth it?”  Absolutely it is.   Most of us would say any cost incurred in raising our kids is well worth it.  What about our faith though? 

            It seems like there is a prevailing belief that faith is free.  Our faith isn’t free though.  It costs us daily and so the question beckons, “How much has your faith cost you?”  Just last week we heard about what Jesus did for us.  Jesus made several statements throughout scripture, which remind us that our faith is not free.

Luke 9:23-25 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. ²⁵ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

These are hardly the words of something that is free.  And what about the Apostle Paul said?  He makes several references to the fact that we were purchased through the blood of Christ.  Even the word redemption means “bought back”.  We once belonged to God but went our own way.   Through Jesus Christ and his work on the cross and through the resurrection, we were bought back.  So again I ask, “What has our faith cost us?”

            In the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews the author talks about faith.

             

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

Because of their faith, they responded in belief and it often cost them; Noah was ridiculed by his neighbors for building an ark when there was no rain, Abraham lived with uncertainty as he went out in faith not knowing where he was going, and this is not to mention the physical pain and imprisonment that the Apostle Paul and so many others endured.

            It’s easy to get comfortable in our lives, even in our faith, and forget what it cost.  It is especially easy and comfortable to do this in our country and forget that faith still costs.  There are many of our brothers and sisters around the world who know first hand what their faith costs them.  They are in prison or have beaten or threatened with their very lives.  What about you?  What has your faith cost you?

            When we realize what it cost Jesus to redeem our life, it causes within us a response.  We pay him back, although it will never be enough, with our own life.  We give of ourselves so that others may have a chance to know this God who paid so much for us because he loved us that much.  The Apostle Paul said it this way….

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

            How much does our faith cost us?  Everything.  The more we come to realize God’s immense love for us, the more it calls us out in faith.  The more we walk in faith, the more it costs us. Can we put a price tag on it?  No.  Is it worth it in the end?  Absolutely.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan & Polly

Has Your Faith Cost You?

Last year, as is the case every year, the New York Times put out an article that informed us that raising a child for the average middle-income family in the United States costs $222,360 from birth to eighteen.  I don’t know about you but when I see this it can be a little disheartening, especially if you have four kids.  This figure is before they go off to college too.  Then they make the statement at the bottom of the article “Is it worth it?”  Absolutely it is.   Most of us would say any cost incurred in raising our kids is well worth it.  What about our faith though? 

            It seems like there is a prevailing belief that faith is free.  Our faith isn’t free though.  It costs us daily and so the question beckons, “How much has your faith cost you?”  Just last week we heard about what Jesus did for us.  Jesus made several statements throughout scripture, which remind us that our faith is not free.

Luke 9:23-25 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. ²⁵ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

These are hardly the words of something that is free.  And what about the Apostle Paul said?  He makes several references to the fact that we were purchased through the blood of Christ.  Even the word redemption means “bought back”.  We once belonged to God but went our own way.   Through Jesus Christ and his work on the cross and through the resurrection, we were bought back.  So again I ask, “What has our faith cost us?”

            In the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews the author talks about faith.

             

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

Because of their faith, they responded in belief and it often cost them; Noah was ridiculed by his neighbors for building an ark when there was no rain, Abraham lived with uncertainty as he went out in faith not knowing where he was going, and this is not to mention the physical pain and imprisonment that the Apostle Paul and so many others endured.

            It’s easy to get comfortable in our lives, even in our faith, and forget what it cost.  It is especially easy and comfortable to do this in our country and forget that faith still costs.  There are many of our brothers and sisters around the world who know first hand what their faith costs them.  They are in prison or have beaten or threatened with their very lives.  What about you?  What has your faith cost you?

            When we realize what it cost Jesus to redeem our life, it causes within us a response.  We pay him back, although it will never be enough, with our own life.  We give of ourselves so that others may have a chance to know this God who paid so much for us because he loved us that much.  The Apostle Paul said it this way….

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

            How much does our faith cost us?  Everything.  The more we come to realize God’s immense love for us, the more it calls us out in faith.  The more we walk in faith, the more it costs us. Can we put a price tag on it?  No.  Is it worth it in the end?  Absolutely.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan & Polly